Di group stage qualifiers for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 don start on Thursday as 48 countries begin di road to di finals.
Di period after FIFA World Cup na always time to refresh squads, and no shortage of exciting youngsters wey don enter teams for these qualifiers.
We pick 10 to watch out for when matchday 1 and 2 go play over next couple weeks, with some already established for dia national teams and others looking to make dia mark.
Abdellah Ouazane wey dey Ajax for Morocco na one of di most exciting products of Morocco flourishing youth system. Di 17-year-old attacking midfielder dem name am Player of the Tournament when Atlas Cubs win 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Di Amsterdam-born playmaker combine close control with ability to dictate tempo of matches. Him performances at Ajax don earn am first senior call-up under Mohamed Ouahbi for qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho.
Ibrahim Mbaye wey dey Aston Villa for Senegal don already score for World Cup. Di 18-year-old winger net against France at 2026 finals and later complete September move from Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa. He become PSG youngest Ligue 1 starter at just 16 and leave Paris with eight trophies. With Sadio Mané missing from Patrick Vieira first Senegal squad, di teenager get opportunity to carry more attacking responsibility.
Patrick Zabi wey dey Paris FC for Côte d’Ivoire, dem dey call am Zabi La Magie because of him technical ability. Di 19-year-old midfielder move to Paris FC from Reims in summer of 2026 after rapid rise through French football. He turn 20 on September 24, same day Côte d’Ivoire open qualifying campaign against Ghana. He be one of eight newcomers in Hervé Renard first squad since him return as coach, and Zabi go hope to establish himself in changing Ivorian midfield.
George Ilenikhena wey dey Al-Ittihad for Nigeria, di 20-year-old striker don already score winning goals against Barcelona for two different clubs in UEFA Champions League, first with Royal Antwerp in 2023 and then Monaco in 2024. After him move to Saudi Arabia in February 2026, di Lagos-born forward don earn him first Super Eagles call-up. Victor Osimhen injury absence fit give Ilenikhena early chance to impress for qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Puso Dithejane wey dey Chicago Fire for South Africa, di 22-year-old winger don carry him career go Chicago Fire for Major League Soccer and new coach Pitso Mosimane hand am Bafana Bafana call-up. Di former TS Galaxy attacker don impress with him direct running, versatility across attacking positions and goalscoring instincts, making am intriguing option as South Africa begin qualifying campaign against Guinea and Eritrea.
Christian Kofane wey dey Bayer Leverkusen for Cameroon, di 20-year-old striker don make swift progress since him join Leverkusen from Spanish second-tier side Albacete in 2025. Di powerful centre-forward score five Bundesliga goals and provide four assists for him first season for Germany. He don start new campaign with two more league goals and dey included in Cameroon youthful squad for matches against Comoros and Congo.
Caleb Yirenkyi wey dey Coventry City for Ghana na graduate of Ghana Right to Dream Academy. Di 20-year-old midfielder secure club-record transfer from FC NordsjaElland to Coventry City in August 2026. Dem name am Danish Superliga Young Player of the Year for 2025/26 after him show versatility in central midfield and three-man defence. He don already be part of Ghana World Cup squad and still dey Carlos Queiroz plans as Black Stars prepare to face Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
Noah Sadiki wey dey Sunderland for DR Congo, di 21-year-old midfielder don establish himself for Premier League, make 33 league appearances for Sunderland last season and start all five of dia opening fixtures for 2026/27. Him ball-winning ability, mobility and composure make am important part of DR Congo new generation. Di former Union Saint-Gilloise player don join Sébastien Desabre squad for qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe.
Ibrahim Maza wey dey Bayer Leverkusen for Algeria, dem born am for Berlin. Di 20-year-old attacking midfielder represent Germany at youth level before him choose Algeria. A technically accomplished player wey can carry ball through tight spaces, Maza move from Hertha Berlin to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 and don start all four of dia Bundesliga games this season. With Riyad Mahrez retired from international football, Maza dey among creative talents wey fit shape Algeria next generation.
Ryan Ogam wey dey RFC Liège for Kenya, di 21-year-old striker become national hero during 2025 African Nations Championship, score winning goals in Kenya victories over Morocco and Zambia as Harambee Stars reach quarter-finals for dia tournament debut. After him score 15 goals in 17 Kenyan league appearances for Tusker, he move to Austria and now dey on loan for Belgium. With Kenya preparing to co-host AFCON 2027, di qualifiers give Ogam opportunity to strengthen him claim to starting place.
